The goal is very straightforward: Get back in the win column, no matter what it takes. The Eagles host a Las Vegas Raiders team on Sunday that has struggled throughout the 2025 regular season, no doubt about it. But the Raiders have played hard, kept their energy level high, and are certainly aiming for a chance to defeat the defending Super Bowl Champions.

Philadelphia continues to lead in the NFC East, a division that has not had a repeat winner since the Eagles topped the East from 2001-04. At 8-5, the Eagles have the 6-6-1 Dallas Cowboys breathing down their necks and every game for this football team has its highest importance.

With that, some storylines for Sunday with a special mention: If you are attending the game at Lincoln Financial Field, pay attention at halftime for the Second Reggie Corgi Cup, a racing of the Corgis. Fabulous entertainment ...

1. Eagles on a short week after a tough loss

It was a long trip back from Los Angeles after the overtime loss to the Chargers, no doubt about it. The Eagles, as is the case with the entire NFL, believes in the "24-Hour Flush Rule," so almost by the time the team landed at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, the players and coaches had watched some film on the flight home and moved on to the Raiders.

Certainly, by the time the team returned to the NovaCare Complex for practice on Wednesday, the mindset was full speed ahead on Las Vegas. Teams don't gloat after victories nor wallow after losses. The Eagles know they lead the division and they control their 2025 football fate. And they know they have to come out strong and fast against a Raiders team that is coming all the way across the country with a new quarterback, former Eagle Kenny Pickett, running the offense. A fast start would be a great way to energize the fan base and give the team an early lift.

2. Offense: Building on the positives from Monday night

There were a lot of things to like from the game against a good Chargers defense. The running game had success, continuing its week-to-week improvement, and the pitch left off the Tush Push (presented by DUDE Wipes) formation led to a 52-yard Saquon Barkley touchdown run. Los Angeles brought pressure and the Eagles were mostly positive handling the pressure. Jalen Hurts and the receiving corps made some big plays in the passing game. We all know where the offense broke down, as Head Coach Nick Sirianni and Hurts have talked about all week, and that is a continued priority: ball security and finishing drives.

Las Vegas has an aggressive defense and here is a statistic to note: The Raiders have forced 95 plays of negative yards by opponents, the second-most in the NFL. So, the Eagles need to stay ahead of the sticks in this game.

3. What is the defense's priority against Raiders?

Unless something changes on gameday, Pickett will get the start for Las Vegas, replacing the injured Geno Smith. Pickett played well in the fourth quarter on Sunday against Denver and he has history here: He ran the scout-team offense plenty in practice during his season with the Eagles, so he has a deep understanding of Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's concepts. That said, Pickett will run a Las Vegas offense that relies heavily on second-year tight end Brock Bowers, one of the best in the league. He is a big target, who catches the ball well and is dangerous after the catch. Would the Eagles double-team him, or show him bracket coverage, and take their chances in one-on-one coverage on the other receivers Vegas has?

The priority is to stop the run and get after the quarterback. Las Vegas averages 15 points per game, but the offense has looked much better in recent weeks. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has 665 rushing yards and four touchdowns and it has been a struggle for a ground game that averages just 73 yards per outing.

4. Las Vegas comes in with everything to gain

The Raiders are 2-11. They are playing for pride. They have a chance to beat the defending champs. As we saw on Thursday night when Atlanta went into Tampa Bay and defeated the Bucs, anything can happen in the NFL. Las Vegas will play fast and aggressively, knowing that a win here could make their season and mark a new beginning, pointing toward next year as Head Coach Pete Carroll works on building a winning culture.

5. Despite record, Raiders pose challenges

So, what have the Raiders done well this season? The negative plays created on defense are big, for sure. Bowers has eight receptions of 20-plus yards in the 10 games he has played this season and his 5.3 catches per game rank third among NFL tight ends. While Jeanty has found the treading tough in the ground game, he has 45 receptions, seventh among NFL running backs, and he has eight total touchdowns. The Raiders have been very productive returning kickoffs, with Raheem Mostert's 30.1-yard average second in the league. Linebacker Devin White, an Eagle last season, had 19 tackles against Denver and has been in double digits in tackles in consecutive games. The Raiders allow 4.6 yards on first downs, the fourth-fewest yards on first down in the NFL. And, of course, they have pass rusher, standout Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, who is going to be a handful. He sets the tone for the Raiders and has to be accounted for on every snap.

6. It will be cold, windy, and maybe snowy. Which means, what?

Hard to tell, but the Eagles have practiced in cold and windy weather all week, so in theory, they should be acclimated to it. How will the passing game be impacted? The kicking game, for sure, and that could dictate how the coaches play it on fourth-and-short situations. Ball security will be a factor. Are we looking at a Snow Bowl II situation? The weather forecast is for measurable snow overnight and then temperatures in the teens on Sunday. Yikes!